Situational awareness - March 26, 2018

Situational awareness - March 26, 2018

Good Monday morning from Salt Lake City. Welcome to Utah's must-read daily political news roundup. 

Significant support among Utahns for medical cannabis. The Davis County GOP slams the Romney campaign again. Stormy Daniels tells her story to 60 minutes.

Tick Tock

• 20 days until the signature-gathering deadline for statewide ballot initiatives (4/15/2018)
• 26 days until the Utah GOP State Convention (4/21/2018)
• 33 days until the Utah Democratic State Convention (4/28/2018)
• 92 days until the 2018 Primary Election (6/26/2018)
• 225 days until the 2018 midterm elections (11/6/2018)
• 308 days until the first day of the 2019 Utah Legislature (1/28/2019)
• 954 days until the 2020 presidential election (11/3/2020)

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Here's what's driving the day

Big support for legalizing medical marijuana

Our latest poll finds more than 3/4 of Utahns say they support making medical cannabis legal [Utah Policy].

Davis County GOP hits Romney...again

The very same day that the Davis County GOP backed away from a public Facebook post accusing Mitt Romney's campaign of "illegally" obtaining delegate lists, the party sent an email to delegates leveling the exact same charge [Utah Policy].

"Political Insiders" say it's time to give up the fight against SB54

Our panel says the GOP should take the hint and abandon their legal fight against the signature gathering route to the ballot [Utah Policy].

Stewart says Trump was "just wrong" to congratulate Putin

Rep. Chris Stewart says he disagrees with President Trump's decision to congratulate Russian President Vladimir Putin on winning re-election, but he also says anyone who is dreaming of impeaching Trump because of collusion with Russia will be "waiting a long time" [Utah Policy].

Political bracket round of 16

We've got four "Sweet 16" matchups for you today in our political bracket challenge. Hit the link and vote. Winners move into the round of 8 later this week [Utah Policy].

Other Utah headlines

• Attorney General Sean Reyes says he has a lawsuit against opioid manufacturers ready to go, but he's not going to file it just yet [Fox 13].
   
• Gov. Gary Herbert signs more bills into law, including a measure to overhaul the Utah Transit Authority [Tribune].
   
• U.S. Senate candidate Mitt Romney's net worth could be as high as $270 million according to financial disclosures [Associated Press].
   
• Rep. John Curtis admits he heard three complaints about inappropriate sexual conduct against former police chief John King while he was mayor of Provo [Deseret News, Tribune].
   
• Former Rep. Jon Stanard has reimbursed the Utah House for a pair of hotel stays that coincided with alleged meetings with a prostitute [Fox 13].

National headlines

• The interview everyone is talking about. Adult film actress Stormy Daniels told her story about having an affair with President Donald Trump. Her interview on 60 Minutes did not reveal much new information, but she did say she was threatened to remain silent about the relationship [Politico].
   
• Massive gun control marches across the country on Saturday could turn the issue into a potent campaign issue during the 2018 midterms and put Republicans on the defensive [New York Times].
   
• Cambridge Analytica, the data firm employed by Donald Trump's presidential campaign, sent non-citizens to advise Republican candidates in 2014, despite U.S. laws limiting foreign involvement in elections [Washington Post].
   
• Republican governors across the country are reversing course and pouring money into public education, turning their back on years of conservative rhetoric about being able to do more with less funding [Washington Post].
   
• A Virginia defense contractor and fundraiser for President Trump's campaign told prospective clients that he could broker meetings with the president. He also marketed his connections to the president to politicians and governments around the world [New York Times].
   
• President Trump is struggling to hire top legal talent to assist him as special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation enters a critical phase. Trump has lost two lawyers in the past four days, and top law firms are spurning offers to take over his defense [New York Times].
   
• On Monday, President Trump will announce the expulsion of dozens of Russian diplomats living in the U.S. as a response to the nerve-gas attack on a former Russian spy living in the U.K. [Bloomberg].
   
• Republican Senators are saying they hope Justice Anthony Kennedy, 81, is making plans to retire. That would give President Trump another Supreme Court nominee and could rally the Republican base to support vulnerable incumbents in 2018 [The Hill].
   
• President Trump is reportedly moving to oust VA secretary David Shulkin [Associated Press].

On this day in history

• 1812 - A political cartoon in the Boston Gazette coins the term "gerrymander" to describe oddly shaped electoral districts designed to help incumbents win reelection.
   
• 1830 - The Book of Mormon is published in Palmyra, New York.
   
• 1953 - Dr. Jonas Salk announced he had successfully tested a vaccine against polio.
   
• 1979 - Anwar al-Sadat, Menachem Begin and Jimmy Carter sign the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty in Washington, D.C.
   
• 1982 - A groundbreaking ceremony for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is held in Washington, D.C.

Today At Utah Policy

Support for legalizing medical marijuana in Utah remains strong as more than 3/4 Utahns support the idea
By Bob Bernick, Contributing Editor
The Utah Legislature has failed most Utahns when it comes to legalizing the non-smoking use of medical marijuana for treatment of several diseases and chronic pain, a new UtahPolicy.com poll shows....

2018 Utah political bracket challenge rolls on
By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor
We're into the round of 16 this week for the remaining contestants in our 2018 Utah political bracket challenge. There are four matchups on tap for you today, with the winners moving into the round of 8 later this week....

Davis County GOP still accusing Romney campaign of 'illegally' obtaining delegate lists
By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor
Even though the Davis County GOP backed off a social media post accusing the Mitt Romney campaign of "illegally" obtaining delegate lists, later that day the party sent an email to Republican delegates making the same accusation....

'Political Insiders' say the Utah GOP should drop their legal challenges to SB54
By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor
Last Tuesday a federal court in Denver ruled Utah's dual-path system for putting candidates on the primary ballot was constitutional, meaning another loss in the Utah GOP's efforts to overturn SB54....

Stewart says those who are dreaming of impeaching Trump for collusion are 'going to be waiting a long time'
By Bryan Schott, Managing Editor
Rep. Chris Stewart criticized President Trump's decision to congratulate Russian President Vladimir Putin on his re-election during a podcast interview last week but scoffed at any allegation of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia....

Legislative session yields long-term solutions for Utah
By Derek Miller, President and CEO, World Trade Center Utah
The Utah State Legislature passed some significant measures this year that will have a long-term impact on our economic prosperity. I had the opportunity to chat with Sen. Stuart Adams about some of the most prominent measures from the legislative session....

Policy News

Public invited to nominate homes for makeovers during Zions Bank's annual Paint-A-Thon service project
Zions Bank is inviting the public to nominate qualified homes in their neighborhoods that can be spruced up with a fresh coat of exterior paint during the annual Paint-a-Thon service project in June....

Utah executives report increasing optimism about future economy
The Salt Lake Chamber released the first-quarter results of the Salt Lake Chamber's 2018 CEOutlook survey....

Local Headlines

Salt Lake Tribune

Mia Love: The opioid addiction crisis should not be underestimated

Op-ed: Public service is a risk worth taking

Editorial: Goodbye, weird and exclusive caucus system

Editorial: Keep Utah a homeowning state

Utah-based Legend Solar has 'misrepresented' itself and should lose its contractor's license, state regulators say

Little-known U.S. Senate candidate in Utah is a felon, which may disqualify him from race

Utah gets another four dozen new laws - including UTA overhaul - signed Friday by the governor

Mitt Romney's net worth is between $74M and $271M after a good year for his investments and speech fees

Deseret News

Frank Pignanelli & LaVarr Webb: Here are forecasts for an unpredictable political spring

Rep. Chris Stewart: U.S. plays a key role in the world

Editorial: Election law compromise best course for Utah

Curtis says he heard about 3 incidents of sexual misconduct by former Provo police chief

The Virginia model: Stop school shootings before the bullets fly

A man goes shopping with an AR-15 rifle on his shoulder, locking down nearby schools: Is he within his rights or causing a disturbance?

Social media spurs action, but school shootings 'not a raging epidemic,' expert says

Group says it wants to boost GOP moral conscience

Refugee entry curbs have 'kept families apart,' Utah agencies say

Other

Rep. Kelly Miles eager for re-election race against challenger Jason Allen (Standard-Examiner)

Weber, Davis counties grow, but Utah County sees an even bigger population jump (Standard-Examiner)

Turnout low at Summit County's Democratic caucuses (Park Record)

Summit County Republicans rally even with blanks on ballot (Park Record)

National Headlines

Switzerland has a stunningly high rate of gun ownership - here's why it doesn't have mass shootings (Business Insider)

Report: March For Our Lives Crowd Count Well Below Expected And Initial Reports (Daily Caller)

The Other Opioid Crisis: Hospital Shortages Lead To Patient Pain, Medical Errors (KHN)

Obama envisions creating 'a million young Barack Obamas' during speech in Japan (Washington Examiner)

Rural hospital shutdowns force communities to take care of their own (CNBC)

Trump indicates to associates he is preparing to oust VA Secretary Shulkin (CNN)

Mnuchin 'Hopeful' Truce Can Be Reached With China on Trade (Bloomberg)

Bolton responds after Tim Kaine questions security clearance over Russia gun video (FOX News)

Pro-Second Amendment student Kashuv calls for debate with March for Our Lives organizer Kasky (FOX News)

Regulation could protect Facebook, not punish it (TechCrunch)

Apple CEO Tim Cook Calls for 'Well-Crafted' Regulations on Data Privacy After Facebook Controversy (Fortune)

Wise Words

Be Bold

"This is no time for ease and comfort. It is time to dare and endure." Winston Churchill
 

Lighter Side

Karate Kid

"YouTube is planning a "Karate Kid" series that follows the characters 34 years later. The show is entitled "Ralph Macchio's Mortgage Is Due." Conan O'Brien